Paver Sand Calculator
A paver sand calculator multiplies area × 1 in bedding depth ÷ 27 by 1.35 tons per yd³: a 20 × 10 ft patio needs 0.83 tons, or 0.92 tons with 10% waste.
What your order looks like
A few bags or one pickup trip will cover it.
0.62 yd³ · 0.8 tons
9 wheelbarrow trips (2 cu ft each)
2 pickup loads (0.75 ton each)
Rules of thumb: A wheelbarrow trip is 2 cubic feet of heavy material, about 200 lb, a load most people can push. A pickup load is 0.75 ton, the payload of a full-size half-ton pickup (1,500 lb).
Paver sand calculator: tons for the bedding layer
A paver sand calculator finds the volume of the thin leveling layer that sits between the gravel base and the pavers. Multiply area by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by 1.35 tons per cubic yard. A 20 × 10 ft patio at 1 inch is 0.617 yd³, which is 0.83 tons, or 0.92 tons with 10 percent extra.
Because the layer is so thin, a small error in depth makes a big difference in tons, so measure carefully.
The formula in plain words
Think of icing a cake. The sand is the icing. It is thin, flat, and has to cover the whole top. The amount depends on the size of the cake and the thickness of the icing.
- Depth in feet = inches ÷ 12
- Cubic yards = length × width × depth in feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × 1.35
- With waste = tons × 1.10 when the box is ticked
- Cost = tons × price per ton
Worked examples
- Patio, 20 ft × 10 ft, 1 in bedding, $45 per ton
- Depth: 1 ÷ 12 = 0.0833 ft
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 0.0833 = 16.7 ft³ = 0.617 yd³
- Tons: 0.617 × 1.35 = 0.83 tons, or $37.50
- With waste: 0.92 tons, or $41.25
- Larger patio, 20 ft × 15 ft, 1 in bedding
- Volume: 300 sq ft ÷ 12 = 25 ft³ = 0.926 yd³
- Tons: 0.926 × 1.35 = 1.25 tons, or $56.25
- With waste: 1.38 tons, or $61.88
In example 1 the sand costs $37.50, but delivery or a small-load charge could cost more than the sand itself. For under a ton, compare to bagged sand.
Sand by area and depth
| Area | 1 in | 2 in |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.42 tons | 0.83 tons |
| 200 sq ft | 0.83 tons | 1.67 tons |
| 300 sq ft | 1.25 tons | 2.50 tons |
| 400 sq ft | 1.67 tons | 3.33 tons |
Why 1 inch matters
The bedding layer is a screed bed, a fine leveling surface. If it is too thick, pavers settle unevenly as the sand compresses. If it is too thin, you cannot absorb small variations in the base. Most guides land close to 1 inch after screeding, but follow your paver manufacturer’s instructions.
The sand layer is not for fixing a bumpy base. Level the gravel first, because sand cannot make up a big difference.
How to measure your area
- Match the paver footprint. The sand only needs to run under the pavers, plus a small margin for the edge restraint.
- Do not include the base overhang. The base extends past the pavers, but the bedding sand generally does not.
- Break up the shape. Run rectangles separately and add the tons.
- Check the base first. Use a straightedge to verify the base is flat before you spread sand.
- Plan screed rails. Pipes or rails set in the base help you screed to a constant depth.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong sand. Stone dust and fine sand are generally not recommended for bedding. Use the sand your paver guide specifies.
- Spreading it too thick. Deep sand compacts unevenly.
- Walking on screeded sand. Footprints leave dips that show through the pavers.
- Leaving it uncovered in rain. Wet sand is heavier, and can wash away.
- Mixing up bedding and joint sand. They serve different jobs and are bought separately.
Bagged or bulk
At 1.35 tons per cubic yard sand weighs about 100 lb per ft³, so a 50 lb bag holds about 0.5 ft³. The 20 × 10 ft patio needs 16.7 ft³ at 1 inch deep, so bagged sand takes 16.7 ÷ 0.5 = about 34 bags.
That is roughly 1,700 lb to carry and spread. Bulk delivery is easier at that size, although you then need a tarp and a place to stage the pile.
Related calculators
Start below with the paver base calculator, then count the surface with the paver calculator. Finish the joints with the polymeric sand calculator. For other sand uses, see the sand calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should the sand layer be under pavers?
About 1 inch is the commonly used bedding depth for the leveling layer directly under pavers. It sits on top of the compacted gravel base, which is a separate and much deeper layer. Follow the paver manufacturer's installation guide.
Is paver sand different from regular sand?
Bedding sand is typically a coarse, washed sand, often specified as concrete sand. This calculator gives it the same 1.35 tons per cubic yard as regular sand. Stone dust and fine play sand are generally not recommended, so check your installation guide.
Do I need paver sand and a gravel base?
For a durable patio or walkway, yes. A compacted gravel base carries the load, and a 1-inch sand layer on top levels the surface before you lay pavers. The two layers are sized with separate calculators.
How much paver sand do I need per square foot?
At 1 inch, one square foot needs 1/12 of a cubic foot of sand. One ton is 20 cubic feet at this density, so a ton covers about 240 square feet before any waste allowance.
Is joint sand the same as bedding sand?
No. Bedding sand goes under the pavers. Joint sand, which can be plain or polymeric, is swept into the gaps afterwards. The Polymeric Sand Calculator sizes that separately, in bags by coverage.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.